RAF airmen, stationed at Kai Tak aerodrome, enjoy a day off work in Hong Kong.

Landscape view of Kai Tak aerodrome panning to an old people's home used as RAF accomodation. Two airmen shout to a third, standing half dressed on a balcony, to hurry up. He gestures and replies that his shirt hasn't yet come back from the laundry. A Chinese girl duly arrives with the airman's shirt. Two airmen leave their billet along a shaded avenue and through an ornamental gate. A Dodge truck laden with airmen marked 'Burma' on the bonnet and, somewhat curiously, 'Heinz 57' on the side. The truck drives through the streets passing rickshaws and local people before pulling up close to the camera. The airmen debus and three climb aboard a pedal rickshaw. At a ferry port a crowd of servicemen and civilians of assorted nationalities board a ferry, possibly of the Star Ferry Company. Views from the ferry as it crosses Victoria Harbour. The ferry approaches a quay. Group of airmen walking along a street in Kowloon. Two airmen walk across a field; a Chinese peasant waters the field with two large watering cans suspended from a shoulder yoke. The airmen returning to their billet; a group of young local children crowd around and the airmen give them some chocolate. More shots at the billet. The Dodge truck seen earlier parked by the roadside. A sidestreet in Victoria; one sign in English reads 'Loon Kee Russian Restaurant'. Two airmen examine the wares of various street stalls. More street shots. Airmen jump across a small brook. On a main road three airmen board a rickshaw; an English sign reads 'Shanghai Piano and Organ Company'. The airmen arrive at the Kowloon Skating Rink. They queue up and draw roller skates. The men skating with western and Chinese women. A ferryboat crosses shot with a moored merchantman or troopship behind.

Notes

The dopesheet notes that the western girls were English internees recently liberated after the Japanese surrender.

The old people's home seen at the start of the reel may be the St Joseph Home for the Aged, near Kai Tak in New Kowloon.

'Heinz 57' was an advertising slogan of the H J Heinz Company, meant to emphasise the company's range of processed foods. In time it became associated with variety in general. In this instance, it may refer to the variety of nations and races engaged in operations in south east Asia, to the variety of services and regiments serving in this theatre, or simply to the inevitably mixed bag of passengers the vehicle may have carried on any given day.

Other RAF film of Hong Kong in this period can be found at the references below. See related items.

No slates, date from dopesheet.